During recent years many thematic festivals have developed internationally to cover the public’s needs on specific areas of interest. A film festival that applies specifically to health matters did not exist anywhere in the world until now. Yet, in recent years, there has been a great production of films which approach health issues with respect and ethos, but rarely reach the distribution network or television channels. The First International Health Film Festival “Ippokratis” is taking place from September 1 to 6 on the island of Kos – the birthplace of Hippocrates.

It is an initiative of artistic director Lucia Rikaki – generously endorsed by the Municipality of Kos Island and the Ministry of Health – aiming at establishing a meeting place for members of the international health community, artists and the audience in order to view, discuss and appreciate creative audiovisual works on health and prevention. The five day festival is a competition festival and will screen current production films on health issues from all over the world that will compete for the three prizes of the festival – a gold, silver and bronze “Ippokratis.”